Rochdale - Spotland

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Spotland Stadium, also known as the Crown Oil Arena due to sponsorship agreements, is located in the Spotland area of Greater Manchester, and serves as the home stadium for both Rochdale A.F.C. and Rochdale Hornets R.F.L.C., boasting a seating capacity of 10,249. Originally named St Clement's Playing Fields after the nearby church, this site has undergone significant transformations since its inception. Prior to becoming the rugby club's headquarters in 1878, it was used for cricket. The rugby club operated from this location until disbanding in 1897, during which time local rugby competitions were also held here. Briefly, two short-lived football clubs – the original Rochdale A.F.C. and Rochdale Town – called Spotland Stadium home between 1900 and 1901, and 1902 to 1903 respectively, before folding. The current Rochdale A.F.C. was formed in 1907, eventually purchasing the freehold for £1,700 in 1914. By the time the team joined the Football League in 1921, a low wooden grandstand had been erected on the south side of the ground, where the cricket pavilion once stood. At this point, the name 'Spotland' had already become synonymous with the surrounding area and was adopted as the stadium's official name. In August 2016, following a sponsorship deal with Bury-based fuel company Crown Oil, Rochdale A.F.C. renamed Spotland Stadium the Crown Oil Arena. However, in 2018 severe winter weather led to the pitch deteriorating to such an extent that several matches were postponed. As a result, Rochdale was drawn against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup and their manager Mauricio Pochettino publicly stated "not a pitch in a condition to play football" after viewing images of the state of the surface, prompting Rochdale to relay the pitch before their match.